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Salem Public Schools reports drop in chronic absenteeism, mixed MCAS results; district sets writing and early-literacy priorities
Summary
District leaders told the School Committee that chronic absenteeism declined from about 34% to 19.2% over five years, grade 10 MCAS growth rates were strong though proficiency varied by subject and subgroup, and the district will prioritize writing and early literacy work.
Salem School Committee members heard a two-part presentation on district assessment results on Oct. 20, 2025, in which leaders reported a sizeable decline in chronic absenteeism and mixed results on statewide tests that shaped near-term instructional priorities.
Superintendent (identified in the meeting as Dr. Drake) told the committee the district's chronic absenteeism rate fell from about 34% in the year after the pandemic to 19.2% in the most recent year, a decrease of roughly 15 percentage points. District leaders said the absenteeism metric is defined as students missing 10% or more of enrolled school days (about 18 days in a traditional year) and linked attendance gains to efforts to increase student engagement.
Sonia Lowe, Executive Director of Academics, presented grade-10 MCAS (ELA, math, science) results and growth metrics. She said Salem's grade-10 students outperformed most other…
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